Gaseous fluid vaporizer and mixer



Sept. 18, 1934. H. E. BucKLEN v 1,973,745

l GASEOUS FLUID VAPORIZER AND MIXER 1 Filed May 5. 195o Patented Sept. 18, 1934 UNITED, STATI-:s vim*IEN'Qr oFfFicEg .I GAsEoUs FLUID lvrrznn AND MIXER Application May 5, 1930, Serial balm-449,344

Claims. (Cl. 48--180) This invention relates to gaseous fluid Vaporizers and mixers for liquid fuel, and more particularly to an improved means for causing the admixture of hydrocarbon fluid and air in an eiiicient manner after the hydrocarbon fluid has been carbureted prior to its introduction into a 4combustion chamber to the extent that the mixture will be in the form of substantially a dry mist.`

While the invention is herein disclosed as being applied to intake manifolds of internal combustion engines, it is to be understood that it is not limitedv thereto inasmuch as it may be utilized wherever it is desired to' efficiently vaporizeand l5 mix hydrocarbon fluids for combustion purposes such, for example, as in oil burning furnaces and the like. i

It is to'be further understood, that the term internal combustion engineas herein employed k shall not be construedas being limited to that type of engine wherein a charge is introduced into the combustion chambers by suction produced by the action of the pistons, the charge then compressed and subsequently exploded by igniting by an independent instrumentality, but is intended to include fuel injection type internal combustion engines operating on the Diesel principle.

Low grades of fuel now employed for the operation of internal combustion engines and other 3o purposes contain a large percentage of relatively non-volatile constituents which are not readily and completely atomizedby the action of a carburetor. Such particles of fuel as are not completely atomized have a tendency to condense and collect upon the walls of a fuel mixture conduit or manifold in the course of the passage of the carbureted fuel from the carburetor tothe combustion chamber or chambers. This results Vinthe feeding into the combustion chamber or chambers of a mixture comprising globules of hydrocarbon fluid of appreciable size andsince the combustion of globules of such a character is necessarily imperfect, there is a lack of efficient combustion resulting in accumulation ofl carbon within the combustion chamber or chambers and associated parts.

Efforts directed to the alleviation of this condition have been only partially successful. Such efforts have been mainly concentrated in the direction of the interposition of means in a mixture conduit either to produce an atomizing effect or to produce merely a turbulating effect.

I have found that by properly combining a turbulating effect with an atomizing effect upon a fuel stream under highvvelocitm'the resultant lproduce-the-desircd result. More specifically, I

have provided a combined turbulator, vaporizer and mixer adapted'to be interposed in a conduit preferably at the juncture of the outlet port of a carburetor and the inlet port of an intake manifold. YThe turbulator part comprises a-p'late-like 70 'portion provided with a centrally disposed restricted passage the passage being of frustoconical configuration extending into the conduit in the direction of the liow of the carbureted mixture, the plate being providedwith `a plurality of :tangentially disposed grooves communicating with the receiving endof theVenturi opening for admitting air into the opening from the open atmosphere. Due tothe tangential disposition of the grooves, airadmitted to the receiving end of the `restricted passage causes a swirling or Whirling of the carburetedmixture passing therethrough. Y

At the discharge end of the restricted passage, I provide a vaporizer and mixer comprising coarse mesh retaining means including therebetween a promiscuously intertwined loose'inass of metallic filaments preferably in the nature of steel shavings or steel Wool. For a clear comprehension ofthe characteristics, function and results produced by such a mass of metallic filaments, reference may be had to my co-pending application Serial No. 441,453 filed April 4, 1930, for Gaseous fluid vapo'rizers A'and mixers. 'For the purposes of the present disclosure, it will suf- Voe to say that inasmuch as the metallic filaments are proniiscuously intertwined in a loose mass, the interstitial spaces extending therethrough do so in'a promiscuous manner. Thus, globules of carbureted hydrocarbon fluid passing therethrough will be not-only cut up or shredded but will leave the massv in a haphazard or volleying condition. By positioning such a vay porizer and mixer at the dischargeend of the restricted passage the carbureted mixture is introduced into the vaporizer and mixer ina turbulent condition, thus materially increasing the discharge of the mixture in'a haphazard or volleying condition.. It is'to' be understood, of course, that such action as is outlined above'takes place 110 under high velocity. The resultant stream of gaseous fluid emanating from the vaporizer and mixer comprises a thoroughly mixed and Vaporized fluid conducted in a rapidly volleying, turbulent condition to such an extent that the mixture introduced into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine or the like, is in the nature of substantially a dry mist.

Preferably, the mechanism 'may :be :provided in two intertting units. However, the salient features of the present invention may be embodied in a single structure as Will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description :of the invention.

The diverse advantages -of tion will appear from the following detailed description of several preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated lin the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a carburetor and .intake .inanifold of :an internal .combustion en- .gine in assembled .relaxt-ion, par-ts being 'broken Vaway vto 4show the .position :of the novel turbulating., vaporizing and mixing means.;

Figure 2 is :an enlarged sectional -vicw of the Isection illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom View `of the turbulating element; Y

Figure 4 isa vertical section through amodied .form of turbulating, vaporizing and mixing means; and I f Figure 5 isa section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1. Y

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 3, `inclusi-vie, I have illustra-ted one form of application of the invention to an intake conduit or manifold of an interna-l combustion engine. The intake manifold 16, illustrated in Figure 1, is one of the character now generally employed in connection withfour cylinder internal combustion engines and comprises a body portion 11 having the -usual outlet ports 12 provided with suitable `attacl-iing flanges 13 'and a centrally ydisposed inlet port 14, flanges 13 being suitablysecured to the block or head 15 of an internal combustion --engine as by means of bolts 16. A carburetor 17 vof any :suitable or preferredconstruction having an outlet port 18 provided at its end with an attaching .flange 19 is suitably connected to yinlet port ,14 of the intake manifold 10 by means of `suitable bolt-s f 20 passing through attaching 'flange 21 of the intake manifold and flange 19 of the carburetor outlet port 13.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, the turbulating, vaporizing and mixing; means comprises essentially two intertting elements-consisting of a turbulating element 22 and a vaporizing and mixing element 23.

Turbula-ting element 22 comprises a plate portion 24 conforming substantially to the configuration of the attaching portions 19 and 21 of .the carburetor and intake manifold, respectively, and is provided with suitable ears 25 having suitable perforations 26 therethrough to accommodate the shanks of boltsv 2,0. Centrally of the plate portion 24, the turbulating element 22 is -provided with a restricted passage 27 of substan- .tialy frusto-conical,configuration extending upwardly therefrom, as illustrated in Figures l and 2.- The underside of the plate portion 24 is pro- .vided with'tangentially disposed grooves 28 suitably stamped or otherwise formed therein,

grooves 28extending from the periphery of plate portion 2 4 to .the lowermost inner peripheral portion'of the Venturi opening 27.

Two or more transverse recesses or perforations 29 are provided at the base juncture of the restricted passage 27 and the plate portion 24 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Vaporizing and mixing element 23 comprises a coarse reticulated mesh screen container 30 comprising a semi-spherical portion 31 having a laterally extending flange 32 and a frusto-conical base portion 33 having asimilar flange 34. Prior to the assembly of the spherical portion 31 and the frusto-conical portion 33, a promiscuously intertwined loose mass of metallic filaments 35 in the nature of steel shavings or steel wool is intere r` posed in .the spherical portion 31. Flanges 32 'the present invenand34' are then suitably secured together by 'means of agU -shaped copper ring 36. Preferably, flanges 32 and 34, and ring 36 are of the configuration of plate portion 24 of member 22 confor-ming to the configuration of the attaching flanges 21 and 19 of the manifold and carburetor, respectively. The elongated portions. iof. the flange of the waporizing .and mixing member .23 are providedmvith suitable perforations 37 coinv-ciding with l11eriorations .26 'for the ,passage therethrough of boltsf20. As will .be clearly evi-dent from Figures l andi 2, the. flange portion yof the -vaporizing .and mixing member 23 being copper hovered be .suitably .adapted as a gasket.

In assembled condition, turbulating member 22 is seated 'with the underside thereof irl-engagement with the .upper faceof attaching filange 19 of the :carburetor.17, the flange yofthe Vaporiz- .ingand mixing element 23 being vseated on the upperffafoefof plate portion 24 of member '.22 with the restricted passage 27 extending into the complementary'frusto-conical portion `33 and attaching flange 21 of the intake manifold inlet portion 14 being seated uponvt-he' lupper 'face of the flange of member 23 with the :semi-spherical portion f31 thereof 4disposed upwardly within inlet conduit- 14. Bolts 2-0 are then ypassed through the perfo- `ratio-ns i-n attaching flange 21, `perforations 37, 26 andthe perforations in the attaching flange I9 of the outlet port' -18 of carburetorr 17.

In operation, the stream lof carbureted hydrocarbon fluid passes upwardly by virtue of the suction imposed uponthe conduit by a piston on its down intake stroke-through the Venturi lopening 27. At the same time air from the` open atmosphere is j admitted and `'drawn in V'through the lgrooves '23, and due to the tangential disposition of such groovesjwith respect to the restricted passage 27, awhirling` action results imposing a swirl Aor whirl upon the 'carbureted hydrocarbon fluid 4seeking'passage through the passage '27,; 1t will be readily apparent, that` the speed of passage Y ,tl-lroughv the passage 27 will be materially increased and due to theswirl or whirl set up` in such Venturippening, the whirling stream of carbureted fluid will enter .and bek 'received by the vapori'zing and mixing element 23 inturbulent. condition. The promiscuously intertwined lose mass of metallic filaments 35 containedjin 'le'ment 23 willlnormallyint'ercept all globules of hydrocarbon fluid of appreciable size and out up or shred them. The initial Whirl or swirl of the gaseous fluid .leaving the discharge end of .the passage 27 .will be maintained, to alarge degree, in the passagevof the mixture through the promiscuously disposed interstitial spaces4 between the loosely'` intertwined metallic filaments 35. Thus, the resultant streamY emanating rfrom ,vaporizing and Amixing element v23 will be ,the natureof a` highly turbulent whirling fluid vof ya lhaphazard XVorivolleying character under high Velocity."

j 'Y l .Y 1l Since cold `weather startingucarburetor outlet port- '18, turbulator -element 22 and :Vaporizing and mixing element 23 are necessarily cold, it will be 4readily apparent that some condensate Awill beformed along thev lowermost end of conduit 14 and the abutting screen' element- 30 and 'metallic filaments 35;V Perforations 29 have been provided forpermitting such vcondensate to drop back "downinto outlet-port`118 of the carburetor -17`whereupon the condensatey will `be picked .up by theoncoming stream of'carbureted uid.

i It will be understood, `that'while I'haveV illus- 'trat'ed members 22 and 23 as'being separate units, theyr'nay be suitably secured together in any: desired 'or preferable mannerto form a single unit. :Referring now, more particularly to -Figure 4, I have illustrated a-modied form'of turbulating, vaporizing and mixing means.V In this case, the element comprises a plate portion40 shaped to suitably conform to the configuration of attaching Ranges of an 'intake manifold andcarburetor outlet port, and suitably provided with `perforationsV 41 to accommodate bolts such,` for example, as 20. 'Centrally' of the'plate portion 4() a restricted passage42` comprising a frustoconicalvvall portion or'n'ozzle 43 is provided. The underface'ofplate portion 10 is provided with tangentially disposed Ygrooves 44 inthe manner 4and'of the character illustrated in Figure 3. Two

4or more perforations 45 are provided to extend through' the plate portion 40 at the juncture of Vthe `frusto-conic'al' portion 43lwith the base portion for the purpose hereinbeforelattributed to perforationsf29. f y 1 At the discharge end of the restricted passage V42, aA-coarse mesh reticul'ated screen 46 having a depending annular ange 47is provided, flange '47 `being suitably secured-to the innerperiphery of frus'to-coni'cal` portion 43 in any desired or preferred manner. A promiscuously intertwined loose mass of metallic filaments 48 is inserted into the restricted passage 42 and a second screen 49 having a depending annular flange 50 is inserted into the Venturi opening 42 and suitably secured to the inner periphery ofthe frusto-conical portion 43 in anysuitable or preferred manner in spaced relation to the plate portion 40.

A suitable gasket-51 of corkorfother composition may be interposed between the vupper side of the Vplate portion 40 andthe corresponding flange of theV intake manifold to effectively seal the `flanged joint' eXcept-'forthe admission of air'from"the-outside atmosphere through the grooves 44.

The function and results attributable tothe modification disclosed in Figures 1 to 3, inclu-r sive, are likewise attributable to the modication disclosed in Figure 4, and it is therefore deemed unnecessary to further amplify the operation and function of the latter modification.`

At the present time, there are in use in conjunction with internal combustion engines of the six cylinder type, intake manifolds which are provided with only one inlet port. In the cases of such manifolds, the outlet ports for the end combustion chambers or cylinders are located rather remotely from the inlet ports. Consequently, in cold weather starting conditions, hy-

drocarbon mixture being conducted through the body portions of such manifolds has a tendency to condense upon the inner walls thereof. To prevent the entry of condensed globules, under such conditions, into the combustion chambers or cylinders, I ,prefer to employ an additional vaporizer and mixer. LSuch a vaporizer and Amixer is illustrated in Figure 5, :being generally indicated at 60. Briefly,`vaporizer and-'mixer 60 comprises a; collapsible coarse, mesh ,screen container 61 of generally cylindrical formation having one end|62 there`of of continuoussemi-spherical formation. The other end comprises a planar portion of coarse mesh lscreen material 63 suitably secured to the cylindrical'body:portion of the container 61. Prior tothe sealing ofthe container 61, it is filled with a loose massof promiscuously intertwined metallic filaments* indicated at 64- prior to the insertion of which a strip of expansible and collapsible metallic spring ring 65 is inserted into the Abody portionjwith the outer periphery thereof in contact with thecontinuous inner'periphery of the container :61, ring 65 being disposed closer'to the semi-spherical end than it is to the' planar end and being suitably secured to the container in any desirable or preferred manner. The planar end 63 of the container is suitably secured to copper covered asbestes gasket 66 which is adapted to beseated in thel usual gland seat provided therefor in the block or head 15 vat the pointofconnection of flanges 13 of the intake manifold 10 thereto.

The attributes, function and operation of vaporizer and miXerGOare more comprehensively pointed outin the co-pending application above noted and reference may be had thereto for fa more comprehensive understanding thereof.

Referring now to .the novel turbulating, Vaporizing and mixing means of the present invention, dueto the efficient nature of the means, it willI bereadily vapparent-to those skilled in the art, that an'oil feeddropping mechanism may beemployed with the intake manifold. to which the devicel is vappliedfor lubricating valve stems and the upper portions of the combustioncham'- bers or cylinders. It will be further noted that the metallic filaments provided in thevaporizing Vand mixing element 23. may be made from rust proof metall and'where filaments of this character are employed, water may be introduced into the intake manifold and thoroughly worked or vaporized bytheair and hydrocarbon gaseous iuid stream, `particularly in the case of internal combustion engines, so'asr to'gain slow, longdrawn out explosions in the cylinders 'or combustion chambers. The-advantages of the introduction of water vapor into an admixture of hydrocarbon gases uid and air for combustion purposes in internal combustion engines are well known and will therefore not be here discussed.

It is to be further noted that the present invention as embodied in the forms illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, is particularly applicable to 10W priced popular self-propelled Vehicles Where no movingparts are included in the intake manifold.

While rI have illustrated the Vaporizing and mixing element 23 as extending only partially into inlet port 14, the upper end thereof may extend the full length of such portthus substantially increasing the length of passage of the carbureted and turbulated hydrocarbon fluid and air through the mass of metallic filaments. The continuous upright wall of the screen container 30 may be slightly tapered upwardly its full length so that it is maintained in spaced relation from the inner peripheral wall of port 14. Such tapering will permit of freer egress of the mixture with 'less surface retardation.

While I have disclosed various embodiments v"le of myv invention,`I do not wish to be Ylimited thereto.- As willr be. understood by those skilled in the art, certain changes may be made therein without departing from the essenceof the invention orthespirit `and scopeof the appended claims. k

What I claim and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Gaseous fluid turbulating, vaporizing and mixing means adapted to be interposed in a fluid conduit between a carburetor and an'intake manifold, comprising a plate having anozzle and a plurality of tangentiallydisposed grooves communicating with said nozzle `for admitting, air into the passage thereby agitating the carbureted fluid, and vaporizerv and mixer means comprising a screen container having spaced walls of reticulated material, one of said walls having a reentrant portion of substantially the configuration of said nozzle and both of said walls having laterally extending marginal portions arranged in substantial contact, means serving as a gasket associated with the marginal portions of said screen walls, and means for clamping said vaporizer and mixer means; against said plate with said nozzle disposed 'in said reentrant portion.

2. Gaseous fluid turbulating, vaporizing and mixing means vadapted to be interposed in a uid conduit between a carburetor and an intake manifold, comprising a plate having a bolting flange, a nozzle extending into the conduit in the direction of flow of the fluid and having a plurality of .tangentially disposed grooves communicating with said passage for admitting air into the passage thereby agitating the carbureted fluid, and vaporizer and mixer means comprising a screen container having spaced walls of reticulated material connected together at their marginal portions to form a bolting flange and a promiscuously. intertwined mass of loose material between said Walls, one of `said -walls having a recess conformal with the outside of the nozzle to'receive the same whereby the bolting flange of the mixer means may be secured against the bolting flange of said plate.' Y

3. Gaseous uid turbulating, vaporizing and mixing means `adapted for use withv carbureted gaseousfluids-and the like comprising a'supporting plate having a bolting flange and a nozzle and adapted to be interposed in a fluid conduit between a carburetor andan intake manifold, and vaporizing and mixing means comprising a wall of reticulated material conforming approximately to the outside of said nozzle, said wall being supported upon the flange of Vsaid plate and adapted to be secured in place when the latter is secured in place in the v,conduit between the carburetor and the intake manifold.

4. Gaseous lfluid turbulating, vaporizing and mixing means adapted to be interposed in a fluid conduit between a carburetor outlet anda manifold inlet, said means comprising an air inlet device including a platehaving a nozzle extending from the central portion thereof and a peripheral marginal portion surrounding the nozzle,' and a mixer lelement comprising a rscreen containerhaving walls of reticulated material spaced apart centrally withtheir marginal portions in substantial contact, securing means arranged to securethe marginal portions of said walls together, one of said wallsbeing made conformal with the outside of said nozzle to fit-thereover andto permit the marginal portionsof said walls to lie `against; the peripheral marginal portion of said fold inlet, comprising an air inlet device including,

a plate having a nozzle extending` from the cen,- tral portion thereof and peripheral marginal portions surrounding the nozzle and provided with perforations therein, a mixer; element comprising a screen container having 'walls of reticulated material spaced apart centrally with their mar-l ginal portions in contact, securing means embracing the marginal portions of saidV walls on both sides thereof to secure said portions together, said securing means having perforations Y therein adapted' to register with the perforations in said plate, one `of said walls being made conformal with the outside of said nozzle to t thereover and to permit the securing means to lie against the pe ripheral marginal portion of said plate when said air inlet device and said mixer element are disposed in place between the carburetor outlet and the manifold, inlet, said securing means being adapted to also lie against the manifold inlet and to serve as gasket means between said inlet and the marginal portion of said plate, and Y clamping means associated with said inlet and outlet and disposed in the perforaticns in said securing means and plate for maintaining said air inlet device andsaid mixer element in leak-tight 'relation between'the carburetor outlet and the manifold inlet; g

1 Y AHERBERT. E. BUCKLEN. 

